Mental Flosshttp://mentalfloss.com/node/50255/atom.xml2015-03-03T22:44:04+00:00http://mentalfloss.com/article/50255/late-movies-evolution-bugs-bunny2013-05-01T02:00:13+00:002013-05-01T04:29:01+00:00The Late Movies: The Evolution of Bugs BunnyErin

It seems hard to imagine a world without our favorite characters in it. A world before Big Bird and Winnie the Pooh and even Bugs Bunny. But it wasn't until this day in 1938 that the idea of Bugs even existed. When Porky's Hare Hunt debuted in theaters, he brought along Happy Rabbit, who later become Bugs Bunny, the most beloved cartoon of all time. Here, a look back at Bugs's life.

Porky's Hare Hunt

Though he doesn't look like the Bugs we've grown to know and love, this is the first appearance of what some call "the Bugs Bunny prototype." Here is Happy Rabbit in 1938.

A Wild Hare

This is considered to be the first "official" Bugs Bunny cartoon. Originally released on July 27, 1940, it was nominated for an Academy Award.

Rabbit of Seville

Loosely based on The Barber of Seville, this animation was released in 1950.

What's Opera, Doc?

Created in 1957 for Merrie Melodies, this cartoon was voted #1 in a ranking of the 50 greatest cartoons of all time. You've probably heard its signature "Kill the wabbit" line.

Tiny Toon Adventures

In 1990, kids were introduced to this show, which featured young cartoons learning from old-school characters, including Bugs.

The Looney Tunes Show

In 2011, Cartoon Network brought back the Looney Tunes gang with all-new episodes of The Looney Tunes Show. One big change in this new series is that Bugs dates Lola Bunny.